Chelsea v Stoke City: match preview

There may be no Diego Costa from the start against Stoke, but Chelsea will still aspire to move further clear at the top of the division with victory in Saturday’s late kick-off. Loïc Rémy’s winner at Hull City in their last fixture may end up as one of the campaign’s key goals. Stoke are safe and, despite having lost their last two games, will test the hosts’ resolve. “A difficult team,” said José Mourinho. An awkward, if not daunting, afternoon lies ahead for the leaders. Dominic Fifield

Kick-off Saturday 5.30pm

Venue Stamford Bridge

Last season Chelsea 3 Stoke 0

Live Sky Sports 1

Referee J Moss

This season G24, Y84, R7, 4.08 cards per game

Odds H 3-10 A 15-1 D 5-1

Chelsea v Stoke City: probale starters in bold, contenders in light

Chelsea

Subs from Cech, Blackman, Filipe Luís, Christensen, Zouma, Ramires, Cuadrado, Drogba, Loftus-Cheek, Costa

Doubtful Costa (match fitness)

Injured Mikel (match fitness, 11 Apr)

Suspended None

Form WWDWDW

Discipline Y55 R3

Leading scorer Costa 19

Stoke City

Subs from Butland, Pieters, Ireland, Sidwell, Adam, Arnautovic, Diouf, Shenton, Teixeira, Muniesa

Doubtful Moses (groin), Muniesa (hamstring)

Injured Odemwingie (knee, Jun), Krkic (knee, Sep)

Suspended None

Form LWWWLL

Discipline Y65 R0

Leading scorer Diouf 8